There are 57 nature reserves within Halmstad Municipality, with different types of flora and fauna. You'll find vast marshes, deciduous woods, steep mountain slopes, rushing waterfalls and a bird sanctuary. Lace up your hiking boots or pump up your bike tires and discover a Halmstad that surprises. If you prefer to explore by water, gently gliding in a canoe is a delightful experience. Distances are short, so you can feel like a true adventurer one minute and be back in your hammock the next. Galgberget, or 'Gallows Hill', just a stone's throw from the city centre, is peaceful despite its name hinting at the site's history. Walking paths, bridleways and fitness trails share space in the beech and mixed woods. With views over Laholms Bay and Halmstad's city centre, it's a perfect spot to rest on one of the benches. Several hiking trails wind through Haverdal's coastal forest reserve. If you listen closely, you might almost hear the gnarled pines lamenting the drifting sands and harsh sea winds. Further north, the nickname of Skipås Nature Reserve, “God’s Green Meadows”, speaks for itself. Venture deeper inland into the heart of the countryside, where meadows and lush mushroom-filled forests offer a bounty of outdoor activities. In Simlångsdalen, tranquil lake waters beckon for leisurely canoeing excursions.

Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde's youngest and most active volcano, towers beautifully but menacingly over the island of Fogo. The mesmerising black volcanic soil is reminiscent of similar fiery peaks in Hawaii and Iceland and is used to grow coffee. A small community, Chã das Caldeiras, is precariously located in the caldera very near the peak, and adventurers can hike up the imposing 2,829 metres for unparalleled views of the island.

There are several wineries in Calaveras County and in Northern California, many of them located just off of the scenic State Highway 4. Wine tasting tours are available. Excitation awaits your palate at the Foothills, where wine is always in season.